WOODMONT STRONG: 80+ Neighbors Pack Meeting to Oppose EHO Townhouses
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Residents packed historic Hendry House for the Woodmont Civic Association's July 16 meeting, the biggest turnout in 30 years, to oppose three EHO townhouses at 2705 N. 24th St.
Before and after at 2705 N. 24th St.: the wooded lot, and the three townhouses planned after 27 trees were cut down
Before and after at 2705 N. 24th St.: the wooded lot, and the three townhouses planned after 27 trees were cut down
Neighbors Say "NO" to Townhouse Development
Residents packed historic Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park for the Woodmont Civic Association's quarterly meeting on July 16 — the biggest turnout in 30 years. The reason: a proposed Expanded Housing Option (EHO) permit, also known as Missing Middle, that would replace a single-family home at 2705 N. 24th St. with three townhouses.
It's the first EHO application to hit Woodmont. Many other county neighborhoods are already fighting the three-year-old zoning policy, and Woodmont residents are determined to keep their single-family streets intact.
The permit currently sits at "Revisions Required" on the county's site. Once it flips to "accepted," residents have 30 days to appeal. In the meantime, the Woodmont Civic Association may put a resolution to its members urging the Zoning Administrator and County Board to reject the application outright.
PROPOSED 3-TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
The property owner, a Woodmont resident, attended the meeting but stayed tight-lipped on the details. Before applying for the permit, the developer cut down 27 trees. A FOIA request revealed the full plan: tear down a 1937 single-family home and put up three townhouses — one with a basement accessory dwelling unit — plus a separate two-story, air-conditioned garage, a sports field, and 10 parking spaces. The proposal calls for planting only 4 trees on the entire property.
"Residents are worried their neighborhood will be shredded by this and later similar projects — the infrastructure, the environment, and the community," said Glenn Tobin, President of the Woodmont Civic Association. "And for what? There will be zero affordable housing created."
OUT OF CHARACTER
The renderings tell the story — these buildings don't belong on a street of single-family homes off Lorcom Lane near Spout Run. Residents are bracing for the fallout: more traffic, more safety hazards, and — if the pattern seen elsewhere under EHO holds — high-priced units that pad the developer's margins instead of the affordable housing the policy promised. (Read our report on lack of affordability.)
NEIGHBORS FOR NEIGHBORHOODS' ROLE
Neighbors for Neighborhoods briefed residents on the 2705 N. 24th St. proposal and other EHO fights across the county, plus an update on the litigation now before the Virginia Supreme Court. A ruling for the plaintiffs could void EHO entirely. A hearing date is expected soon. (Help us pay the legal bills.)
AN INFORMAL VOTE — BUT A CLEAR SIGNAL
Before the meeting, a few residents had told Woodmont Civic Association President Glenn Tobin that they weren't opposed to the proposal. The room told a different story: an informal show of hands after the presentations found roughly 85% opposed, 15% undecided, and zero in support.
WHAT'S NEXT
Woodmont is waiting on the County Zoning Administrator's decision. If the permit is approved, expect another FOIA request for the revised plans — unless the developer shares them first. Any inconsistency with the EHO ordinance opens the door to an appeal before the Board of Zoning Appeals. This fight is far from over.
Save our single-family neighborhoods.